cocoon

From French cocon, a diminutive of coque (“shell”).

• IPA^(key): /kəˈkuːn/ [kʰɘ̞ˈkʰu̟ːn]

• Audio (US):

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• Rhymes: -uːn
• Homophone: kokoon

cocoon (plural cocoons)

1. The silky case spun by the larvae of some insects in which they metamorphose, protecting the pupa within.
2. (also figurative) Any similar protective case.
   • 1997 June 24, Robert Dart, quotee, “CTA To Leave Train Conductors At The Station”, in Chicago Tribune‎^[1]:

     The bad guys generally don’t like to get on trains, because they’re trapped on a moving cocoon that the CTA controls.

• Not to be confused with the word cacoon.

• → Malayalam: കൊക്കൂൺ (kokkūṇ)

cocoon (third-person singular simple present cocoons, present participle cocooning, simple past and past participle cocooned)

1. (transitive, also figuratively) To envelop in a protective case.
   • 2021, Rivers Solomon, Sorrowland, #Merky Books, page 163:

     Vern grabbed the throw draped over the back of the sofa and cocooned herself within it.

2. (intransitive, also figuratively) To withdraw into such a case.